Victor Frost and the City of Palo Alto remain locked in a legal struggle that shows no sign of a speedy resolution.
Frost, the 60-something panhandler often found on Homer Avenue, appeared again in court Friday, this time represented by Santa Clara County Deputy Public Defender Jennifer Green.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Marliese Kim agreed to continue the case until September.
Green said she might enter a demurrer, a plea that would challenge the validity of the city's sit-lie ban, which restricts anyone from sitting or lying on certain heavily used sidewalks during peak hours.
"There's a whole body of law and I've just scratched the surface," Green said.
"I think it's troubling to view the act of sitting peacefully on a public sidewalk as a crime."
Frost, who regularly sits on a crate across from Whole Foods Market, faces six counts of violating the sit-lie ban, which the City Council expanded to include Homer Avenue following numerous complaints about Frost.
Frost previously pleaded innocent and filed a motion to dismiss charges. Kim agreed to rescind Frost's plea Friday following a request by Green.
The city, represented by Assistant City Attorney Donald Larkin, has filed a motion calling the case "meritless."
Larkin pointed out the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has considered a similar ordinance in Seattle and found it constitutional.
The city tried to find a job for Frost and waited for months to enforce the ordinance. Larkin said Friday the city just wants Frost to obey the law.
"There are other places to sit and panhandle," Larkin said.
The maximum penalty would be a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, but Larkin said the city does not like to fine anyone living on the streets and he hopes the case will be resolved before it results in a jail sentence.
"I've never encountered anybody quite so stubborn so conceivably it could end up with jail time," Larkin said.
"I'm sticking to my guns," Frost said Friday following his court appearance.
He hasn't been on Homer Avenue this week because he's been "resting and thinking" in preparation for his court date.
Frost has been homeless since he left the Opportunity Center earlier this year, but now has a shot at an apartment beginning in August, he said.
A regular candidate for the City Council, Frost grew up in Palo Alto and has hopes of retiring on a goat farm in northern California.
He next appears in court Sept. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Comments
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 25, 2008 at 6:01 pm
on Jul 25, 2008 at 6:01 pm
He has had his 15 minutes of fame, and now it is atrocious that once again taxpayer money is being wasted on his trial. The only thing worse than this is that taxpayer money will finance his time in jail.
The ones who lose in this case are the taxpayers.
Midtown
on Jul 25, 2008 at 6:45 pm
on Jul 25, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Perhaps Palo Alto needs an attorney who can read the original conditions of the dedication of the streets affected.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jul 25, 2008 at 7:07 pm
on Jul 25, 2008 at 7:07 pm
He was given a spot at the Opportunity Center. He doesn't want that. What on earth are we expect to do???
Crescent Park
on Jul 26, 2008 at 11:16 am
on Jul 26, 2008 at 11:16 am
"Larkin said the city does not like to fine anyone living on the streets and he hopes the case will be resolved before it results in a jail sentence."
This is our problem right here. This town is so weak! You have a law...follow it!
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 26, 2008 at 1:50 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Sat 1:51pm
Victor is taking another day off from panhandling. I passed by Whole Foods earlier today. There were two other panhandlers sitting on milk crates, one with a cause.
Victor is in his old brown car on Park Blvd. next to Olive in front of a parking garage. If anyone wants to bring by donations, I think money would be best.
And guyz, don't talk - if any of you had to buy the house you're living in, at today's prices you wouldn't be able to pay for it :)
South of Midtown
on Jul 26, 2008 at 2:36 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Bums in Downtown PA are there, becasue they are served there. By individuals who give them money; by churches who prove their faith to themselves by enabling poor folk to destroy themselves; by government agencies that are afraid to be strong.
In this particular case, if people will stop feeding the problem, the problem will move somewhere else, but if people at that new spot also refuse to feed the problem, then the problem will need to reform, in order to live. No more liberal guilt trips!
Downtown North
on Jul 26, 2008 at 2:51 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 2:51 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 26, 2008 at 4:05 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I was panhandling out there recently. I would have taken a job if Whole Foods would have offered me one pushing those carts around, but they didn't. I heard they needed someone too. This past week I applied at another Palo Alto business for a job I really would have liked. They had openings there too. Nothing. These business managers have a built-in "kiss my butt" attitude which is unrealistic. It makes me feel better about panhandling. I have bills to pay whether I have a job or not.
Monroe Park
on Jul 26, 2008 at 4:29 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 4:29 pm
homeless danny,
Please explain why some businessman or businesswoman should hire you. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Just becasue you squat in front of a legitimate business does not make you a potential hire. In fact, it makes you last on the list of potential hires.
[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
another community
on Jul 26, 2008 at 4:31 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 4:31 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Midtown
on Jul 26, 2008 at 6:00 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I have long espoused caravansaries offering minimal shelter and sanitary facilities near major population centers, for those unfortunate or improvident enough to be unable or unwilling to spend for those facilities. Good folk would be encouraged to go there and offer whatever they wished. Rights of way would revert to their originally dedicated function of allowing travel, not repose.
Shenker, any relation to the head of the teacher's Union?
Barron Park
on Jul 26, 2008 at 8:12 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 8:12 pm
It is not just a matter of obeying the law or not. The city created a law to target an individual. The expansion of the sit lie ordinance that Mr Frost is fighting was created to remove HIM from his usual place in front of Whole Foods Market. It was nicknamed the "Victor Frost Ordinance" by a city council member. It was created because the the Palo Alto Business Association pressed city council members to approve it.
It is important to notice that Phil Lonardo, manager of Whole Foods Market, is one of the key members from the Palo Alto Business Association, and he was the one representing Palo Alto Business Association that went in front of the council to say that he could not please his costumers because of the presence of homeless people in front of his market.
I hope Victor Frost's lawyer gets to see the recording section in which the extension was approved.
Barron Park
on Jul 26, 2008 at 8:45 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I moved to Palo Alto in 1992. Victor Frost was sitting out front panhandling then and was using a lap top.
He commutes from the East Bay to sit in front of the PA Whole Foods.
Lazy and contrary. "I'll do it because I can" attitude.
I give to Second Harvest to help feed people in need. I hate being solicited by at least three people every time I shop at Whole Foods.
There is a "vet" at Mollie Stones that begs too. I bought him a meal once and he gave me his story of how he was passing through and on his way to see family and he was waiting on his monthly check to come in so he could get a bus ticket. He's been outside Mollie Stones for three months. My compassion is gone for those who lie about their situation.
I agree- if you don't encourage them they will go elsewhere.
another community
on Jul 26, 2008 at 9:03 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 9:03 pm
How about the rotating PH'ers at left turn ECR to Alma from Menlo?
I never give them a dime, 'cause I'm thinking these guys make $20 plus her hour (good wage) just sitting there laying a guilt trip on the fools who give them a handout, but strikes me that if someone gave them a musical instrument to strum, fiddle or hum (harmonica) they might get some much needed respect from impatient drivers trying to get thru the green left turn light heading into PA.
Anybody got a guitar,harmonica, fiddle or something lying around the garage that we could give these same old guys?
Am I venturing into wishful thinking, that they would actually make an effort to "earn" a wage?
Downtown North
on Jul 26, 2008 at 11:06 pm
on Jul 26, 2008 at 11:06 pm
"Anybody got a guitar,harmonica, fiddle or something lying around the garage that we could give these same old guys?"
What? And make me roll up the windows and turn on the air conditioning? No thanks. I'm enjoying the fresh air and gas mileage boost. Let them form a band in front of the opportunity center.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 27, 2008 at 3:28 am
on Jul 27, 2008 at 3:28 am
Kerry,
If you have a job offer you can email me privately.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 27, 2008 at 3:33 am
on Jul 27, 2008 at 3:33 am
Walter E. Wallis writes:
> I have long espoused caravansaries offering minimal shelter and (etc)
And I can be Lawrence of Arabia.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 27, 2008 at 3:52 am
on Jul 27, 2008 at 3:52 am
"Give to Food Banks" writes:
> I moved to Palo Alto in 1992. Victor Frost was sitting out front
> panhandling then and was using a lap top.
> He commutes from the East Bay to sit in front of the PA Whole Foods.
Victor lives here in Palo Alto. He does not commute from East Bay. I've always known him to be camping here out of his vehicle. He's spent some time up north where he wants to get a 5 acre farm.
Remember the fundraisers for the so-called Opportunity Center who raised $25 million dollars claiming "There are 150 homeless people in Palo Alto who need our help!" As a homeless person, I never authorized them to do that fundraising. Where is my $166,666? Where is Victor's? Where did all that money go? Do you seriously think I'd be out there panhandling in front of Whole Foods if I had that money?
Get real.
College Terrace
on Jul 27, 2008 at 6:25 am
on Jul 27, 2008 at 6:25 am
OK folks, Victor is quite likely to win this round and very possibly the sit-lie ordinance will be found unconstitutional. Then how do you propose to remove him from his vegetable crate?
Midtown
on Jul 27, 2008 at 6:53 am
on Jul 27, 2008 at 6:53 am
Danny, you don't like caravansaries? Try Hostels. How about hobo jungles - there was a real popular one between 12th and 16th streets, the railroad and the American River in the 30s and 40s. Louie's Camp, on North B street, rented 20x20 lots for $2, month where you could build a shack and have use of one of 2 chic sales and 2 water taps. Flop houses cost 50 cents a night, and Sneaky Pete a buck or so.
There is a public interest in insuring available sanitation and in insisting that it be used.
another community
on Jul 27, 2008 at 4:31 pm
on Jul 27, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I quit shopping at Whole Foods, Mollie Stone's and any Safeway with anyone soliciting "donations". I go home, call the manager, and complain. Sooner, or later, management gets the message.
Boycott businesses which allow harassment of customers!
Los Altos Hills
on Jul 27, 2008 at 5:28 pm
on Jul 27, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Constitutional law is applicable to the current issue at hand. The
1st and 8th amendment is enforcable making the palo alto sit and lie ordinance in violation of the 1st and 8th amendment regarding Mr Frost's rights. The extention of the ordiance is suspect if in fact
the following below is true. It also can be proven that a conflict of
interest has relevency to allow for a hidden agenda to take place
causing Mr Frost to be selectively excluded from across the street
from whole foods market. There is politicle motivation to remove
Mr Frost who is innocent. Too long homeless people have been the
target of politics and corruption.
Phil Lonardo, manager of Whole Foods Market, is one of the key members from the Palo Alto Business Association, and he was the one representing Palo Alto Business Association that went in front of the council to say that he could not please his costumers because of the presence of homeless people in front of his market.
You can't make homeless poeple in Palo Alto move just because you are
bias in you thinking. You cannot invoke tailored laws to satisfy
you own politicle agenda. Homeless people have a right to sit and
lie on the sidewalks just like other people. Victor is going to win
and sue the city of Palo Alto and Whole Foods for harrassment and
discrimination and violation of his constitutional rights and slander. In closing based on history never under estimate the the
under dog The roman empire fell, David beat Goliath, The US lost
the Vietnam War, The US is loosing in Iraq.
Southgate
on Jul 27, 2008 at 5:36 pm
on Jul 27, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Go Victor Go. You gonna buy a goat ranch one day!!!
Midtown
on Jul 27, 2008 at 8:10 pm
on Jul 27, 2008 at 8:10 pm
So, Constitutional Lawyer Fairbanks, I would be in my rights to pitch a tent in the street outside your house and set up my barbecue on your sidewalk? Negative, buddy, because the city's failure to enforce the reason the land was ceded to the city would revert that property to you.
South of Midtown
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:18 am
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:18 am
People, Victor needs our help. If every Whole Foods shopper gave him just $1 he would quickly accumulate enough money to finally buy that goat farm up north. Sounds like a win/win to me.
Professorville
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:22 am
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:22 am
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 28, 2008 at 2:41 am
on Jul 28, 2008 at 2:41 am
Hillbilly Hell writes:
> People, Victor needs our help. If every Whole Foods shopper gave him just $1 he would > quickly accumulate enough money to finally buy that goat farm up north. Sounds like a > win/win to me.
This is an irony of the whole problem. Right now I myself am only about a hundred bucks or so shy of what I have to raise soon. A full day wasted in hardship and panhandling might get me $10-20.
Capitalism, so to speak, deprives most people of the ability to make independent, rational, significant fiscal decisions. Those decisions are typically "in the hands of others" whose decisions are rarely questioned. There are people who won't hire me because they know they'd be giving money to me. They would hire someone else just to spite me as a "power thing".
Midtown
on Jul 28, 2008 at 4:22 am
on Jul 28, 2008 at 4:22 am
I would sympathize with any goats that relied on Frosty for their daily bread.
Danny, down on the desert we used to say of prospectors like Seldom Seen Slim and Balarat Sam that they were either one foot from a million dollars or a million feet from a buck. Charlie Steen made it, Seldom did not; but at least prospectors offered a hope to their grubstakers.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 28, 2008 at 5:35 am
on Jul 28, 2008 at 5:35 am
Walter E. Wallace writes:
> but at least prospectors offered a hope to their grubstakers.
I believe the analogy fails. Different society, different times.
Unfortunately for me, that sort of "hope" these days is derived from professionally commoditized human capital. As a person who isn't part of the "system", I do not represent that sort of "hope" as neither does Victor. Nobody is going to seriously consider investing, let's say several million into one of my own projects unless they can steal the ideas and give the money to someone else who seems on paper more appropriate.
University South
on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:32 am
on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:32 am
Er, Victor Frost is neither setting up a tent nor a barbecue grill in the street. His only real crime appears to be offending the sensibilities of the rich. I hope he gets to continue.
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:40 am
on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:40 am
OK, Victor Frost supporters, WHERE ELSE have you seen his equivalent set up on a sidewalk in perpetuity like outside P.A.'s Whole Foods? In Redwood City, Mt. View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Fremont...?? I have never seen such a thing.
Fairmeadow
on Jul 28, 2008 at 12:51 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Give Victor Frost a break, Palo Alto. He basicly sits peacefully on his crate and doesn't bother anyone. He's not aggresive nor does he act out like some of the University Ave. panhandlers. As for him not working and turning down job offers, I'm not a phycologist, but I think it's obvious that Victor has mental health issues and will probably never be a part of mainstream society. Those of us that live and work in this area have been blessed in many ways. We should be thankful for those blessings and be willing to share with those that are less fortunate. If you don't feel comfortable giving to individual panhandlers, you can donate to Inn Vision (innvision.org). Inn Vision helps with the multiple needs of the homeless and people in transition in Palo Alto and the South Bay.
another community
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:03 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:03 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
South of Midtown
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:03 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:03 pm
BornToRun - Well said!! It nice to that not everyone in Palo Alto is a self-absorbed, Whole Foods shopping snob.
I agree with you regarding the homeless probably not becoming a part of mainstream society. It's certainly a complicated problem that has no easy fixes. In the mean time they need our compassion.
Community Center
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:06 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Whole Foods is likely to move before Victor!!!
St. Claire Gardens
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:07 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Someone - Preach it brother!! WE GOT OURS and to heck with anyone less fortunate.
Meadow Park
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:13 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:13 pm
There are other long threads on this, so I won't belabor. But the idea that giving alms to street beggars is "compassion" is bogus. We defeat both the goal of having a clean, safe, and inviting town AND of providing help for the beggars - the only thing it does is provide a quick conscience fix for the giver.
Anyone who lived through the squeegee men period in NYC knows what it was like. And now SF and Berkeley are battling the fruits of their own "compassion." Support beggars and expect more (and likely more aggressive) beggars. No-one wins. And the idea that wanting a clean, safe, inviting shopping district equates to self-absorbed snobbishness - I wonder if the person who write that has ever worked hard to better the life of his family? Personally, I look down on snobs and beggars equally.
another community
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:20 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I did not get anything handed out to me on a silver platter!
I worked hard since I was 16. I went to school part-time and worked TWO full-time jobs to pay for school and live in one room.
Now I have mine and I would not want to pay tax for useless parasites like him. I would not to even see them.
Before you judge me, I know of many mentally and physically challenged people who work and have earned the roof over their heads. I will do anything to help them!
The mentally and physically challenged get help they deserve and do NOT want to be associated with such like Frost.
It is NOT about being less fortunate or more fortunate.
It is about wanting to WORK!
If there are jobs for people who are willing to risk their lives to be in this country, there are jobs for people like FROST.
I do not know of anyone who has become "FORTUNATE" and "GETTING THEIR SHARE" without him/her or someone in their family working hard.
This fortune, luck, share, special need are pretty words for LAZZINESS!
Those who want to work and are NOT lazy will not need to beg for food.
Those who want to sit on their lazy bottoms have lots of other people to blame.
And, there are those like you who buy these useless excuses.
But, someone who sits and is not willing to take the job and help offered does not have the right to call him or herself human!
Barron Park
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:28 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 1:28 pm
[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Midtown
on Jul 28, 2008 at 2:54 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 2:54 pm
In the 30's we knew the difference between a hobo and a bum. And danny boy, get a congregation. Investments are worthless unless at the end of the money someone produces something someone else is willing to pay for. Al Capp did a series a few years ago about entitlements. As I recall, the denouement was when Washington decided to thin the herd
another community
on Jul 28, 2008 at 4:07 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 4:07 pm
The intent of the law is to control pedestrian traffic flow, not to control street people. The public defender's office should not be supporting stupidity at the expense of reason. A dose of time should tweak Frost's legal mind. u-mon.blogspot.com
Downtown North
on Jul 28, 2008 at 5:47 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Not many people know this, but Victor had a heart attack several years ago. He continues to experience heart "problems". His heart condition precludes him from doing most types of manual labor.
On another note....the real annoyance in front of Whole Foods is not the panhandlers, but the CALPIRG and other solicitors that accost you as you are entering the store. These guys, clip-boards in hand, aggressively harass shoppers to donate to their various causes. I'd like to see the city do something about them.
Los Altos Hills
on Jul 28, 2008 at 7:03 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I want to shed some light on the issue. Mr Frost is not in violation of sit and lie ordinance. 1)Mr Frost is not causing any blockage or safety issues. 2) His Panhandling is non agressive and he is protected under the constitution of the U.S. 3) When people
are setting up shop with tables to collect donations, the police say or do nothing to them for citations. 4) When people solicitate for global warming campaign nothing is said. 5) Victor is being descriminated against. 6) The public defender will bring out the facts and a discovery motion will be made based on other cases.
7) The ACLU will step in and handle the civil complaint and posibbly
a class action law suit the will knock the socks off city hall and
whole foods. 8) Victor is no fool: He is a graduate from Hubolt State
University and played football for the college of San Mateo. He was
also a heavy hitter in the corporate world when he was working. 9)
Soon Victor will be stepping in the court with his legal team and
the big boys will be ready to play ball.
Midtown
on Jul 28, 2008 at 7:09 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I say we elect Victor for city counsil this time. Hell look at him he is a tough competitor. He needs a job and he has a vision for
our community. Lets vote for Big Victor and give him a office.
HIP HIP Horray !!!
Barron Park
on Jul 28, 2008 at 9:07 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Mr F., which part of the constitution is it that protects panhandling?
Downtown North
on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:42 pm
on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:42 pm
ThunderRoad said this....."the real annoyance in front of Whole Foods is not the panhandlers, but the CALPIRG and other solicitors that accost you as you are entering the store. These guys, clip-boards in hand, aggressively harass shoppers to donate to their various causes. I'd like to see the city do something about them."
What ThunderRoad said. Also, Whole Foods is a good organization, but they should never put their cashiers in a role where they are asking shoppers to make contributions to charity, as they have been doing recently. The *worst* place to ask for a donation is in a cashier checkout line, where one has already dropped a bundle on merchandise. It's a goofy idea that should stop. Safeway does the same thing. I feel sorry for the cashiers who have to bear the burden of asking, and the (usual) rejection that follows.
Downtown North
on Jul 29, 2008 at 12:26 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 12:26 pm
"Someone" wrote "He is a PARASITE".
Bob Dylan wrote "Name me someone who is not a parasite and I'll go out and say a prayer for him." (Visions of Johanna)
Greenmeadow
on Jul 29, 2008 at 1:15 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Thank you Perspective, now everyone knows that absolutely EVERYTHING that came out of Dylan's mouth was a pure pearl of infinite and boundless wisdom.
East Palo Alto
on Jul 29, 2008 at 2:26 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Used to shop there a lot, but too crowded, overpriced, & the yuppie/crunchy aspect of it torches my socks. So am curious to know more about the checkers now asking for moola for causes. Can anyone expound a bit more on that? Please, oh please, don't make me buy an overpriced item just to experience it for myself! Thank you :)
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 29, 2008 at 2:40 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I disagree with Givin' about checkers being the *worst* place to mooch for money. I imagine there's plenty of rich guilt willing to dig into their pockets at exactly that moment.
Don't Like Whole Foods -- Buy a pack of chewing gum at Safeway and you can experience the common man's version.
Meadow Park
on Jul 29, 2008 at 3:43 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 3:43 pm
At Safeway (I don't do WF either) when you check out, they just ask "Would you like to donate $1 to [insert cause of the day]" - food bank, kids charity, disease charity, etc. I'm sure many say "sure" - it is like the election check off on your tax return - your wallet is already open, so why not feel good about yourself. And the store looks like it "cares" - at least it cares enough to ask for your money. As an old curmudgeon, of course, I have no problem saying "No thanks, and please double bag everything in plastic please."
Midtown
on Jul 29, 2008 at 3:53 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Someone needs to learn the difference between symbiosis and parasitism.
Bob Dylan - didn't they name a pile of skulls in Cambodia after him?
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 29, 2008 at 4:36 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Watch out for that flute player outside Whole Foods. The money he gets goes to alcohol.
He lives at the Opportunity Center.
Palo Alto Orchards
on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:24 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:24 pm
You bunch of young whipper-snappers....you know nothing of the world....or of panhandling. In my day, we took panhandling to an art form. My fiend Creampie Willie and I would would set up on University Ave. We'd have a piece of cardboard that read, "Spanish-American War Vet, Can You Spare 10 Cents". Of course, we had'd been in the war, but it was a quick way to raise cash. Once we had accumulated a few dollars we'd head straight to Duffie's Speakeasy behind the Chinese laudry on Emerson St. At Duffie's we'd drink beer, eat pig's knuckles (a Duffie's specialty), and laugh at the rubes that had coughed up for our beer money. Duffie was quite a character...everyone loved him...and he ran the best speakeasy in Palo Alto. A number of years later Duffie had an unforturate accident involving a wayward donkey and a beer keg. After his accident Duffie found religion, sold the speakeasy, and joined the priesthood. We never heard from him again.
Midtown
on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:36 pm
on Jul 29, 2008 at 11:36 pm
I've been wasting so much time on the compter lately that my domestic partner has kicked me out of the house for the day. He said that if Victor Frost can spend a whole day sitting on a crate in front of Whole Foods, I should be able to find something more productive than writing nonsensical and mostly indecipherable comments on paloaltoonline.
Evergreen Park
on Jul 30, 2008 at 2:55 pm
on Jul 30, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Everybody seems to get a free pass on panhandling except Victor Frost. Safeway's various causes, CalPirg, Environment California - the ACLU itself was out on California Ave. a few weeks ago.
I'll be interested to see what Mr. Frost's public defender, Ms. Green, can come up with. I think the Constitution should protect panhandling and I hope he and she prevail in court.
I like Victor and I think he makes Palo Alto a more interesting place to live than it would otherwise be.
Community Center
on Jul 30, 2008 at 3:45 pm
on Jul 30, 2008 at 3:45 pm
To Walter E. Wallis - Walter, who knew? And I think your comments are entertaining...even though I can't usually figure out what you're trying to say. See you at Whole Foods.
Barron Park
on Jul 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm
on Jul 30, 2008 at 4:37 pm
BillTucker, on what basis do you think the Constitution should protect panhandling? It's clearly not a political right - not like assembly, free speech, etc. Or a procedural - search and seizure, due process, cruel and unusual punishment, self-incrimination. Nor a matter of personal identify - religion, race, gender (not included in the constitution btw). Are you thinking people should have the right to block the sidewalk if they like, or more an affirmative right to beg?
I'm not clear why so many other activities can be regulated, but panhandling should be protected. It seems like the world turned upside down to me.
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Jul 31, 2008 at 6:10 pm
on Jul 31, 2008 at 6:10 pm
JungleLand wrote:
> In my day, we took panhandling to an art form. My fiend Creampie
> Willie and I would would set up on University Ave. We'd have a
> piece of cardboard that read, "Spanish-American War Vet, Can You
> Spare 10 Cents".... etc
I won't believe this poster until he is verified. Too long ago, most likely too old of a time for anyone to still be alive and, in any case, unlikely to be on the Internet.
Palo Alto Orchards
on Aug 1, 2008 at 1:30 am
on Aug 1, 2008 at 1:30 am
To Danny the Homeless Guy: You get a gold star, Sherlock. What was your first clue...that the Spanish-American Was was fought in 1898?
By the way, have you ever heard of satire??
University South
on Aug 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm
on Aug 1, 2008 at 4:57 pm
When I shop at whole foods I see Victor and there is no sidewalk
interference or safety issues for the customers. At the adjacent
sidewalk in front of whole foods is where the conjestion exists,
because you have less space to walk. So my question is why are the
PAPD giving Victor citations for sit and lie when I see other people
siting around and never getting cited continuessly. There are spies
watching Victor and calling the PAPD on him because he is minding his own business.
Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on Aug 1, 2008 at 5:16 pm
on Aug 1, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I agree with the law student that Victor is the victim of harrassment and discrimination and I hope you have a good attorney.
If he need a attorney I will ask my dad because he graduated from
Harvard Law school at the top of his class. My dad is a no nonsense in your face approach attorney and he do work pro bono for the less fortunate because he came from humble beginnings. My dad was homeless like Victor and he went through some of the same problems of discrimination. Hang in there Victor I am pulling for you and do not let those citations discourage you. You are a pillar
in the community and stand up for your rights.
St. Claire Gardens
on Aug 1, 2008 at 5:24 pm
on Aug 1, 2008 at 5:24 pm
What we have is stupidity. Stuck on stupid. Why is it that
whole food be in harmony with Victor. This can be a win win situation if everyone act right. Lets settle the whole issue by
putting Victor in the ring with Phil. there will be a 3 round boxing
match and the winner will have there say and decision. If Victor
win, then he can stay at his office across from whole foods. If Phil win then Victor has to move away. Let but this on city hall agenda and take a vote.
Evergreen Park
on Aug 11, 2008 at 3:11 pm
on Aug 11, 2008 at 3:11 pm
For the anonymous "Curious",
1. Right to panhandle: It is free speech. Also, the organizations listed in my post exercise that right without any interference from the authorities.
2. Re the right to block the sidewalk: If you walk down California Avenue, you will see numerous businesses blocking the sidewalk, without any interference from the authorities. One restaurant has established what amounts to a small "foret" there. However, since this is a feeding place where the elite meets to eat, I guess the idea of citing it has ever occurred to anyone in authority. Now, I'm not complaining about this, I don't mind having a few bushes and tables along the sidewalk, but if these establishments aren't cited for blocking the sidewalk, I don't think Mr. Frost should be either.
Maybe someone with a digital camera should take some photos of the plants and tables on California Ave. sidewalks. Then, post the photos, alongside a picture of Victor Frost, so we can all evaluate just who or what is taking up the most space on the sidewalk!
Old Palo Alto
on Sep 22, 2008 at 3:12 pm
on Sep 22, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Whole Food fruit stands take up most of the sidewalks around the entrance of the store. The panhandlers are slight and unobtrusive. There is no reason to prevent them, nor Mr.Frost who is across the street from panhandling around the ntrance to Whole Food. the store is always full and those panhandlers are not slowing business. There is an ordinance in Palo Alto covering the problem of people or animals obstructing food traffic in any area of the city. The last time we had a debate about sitting=lying ACLU declared the new ordinance illegal. (The city attorneys are obviously wrong. The street belings to everybody and there is no reason to cater to the wishes of one resident. I am sahamed of my city.
Dr Christiane Cook
another community
on Nov 30, 2009 at 10:17 pm
on Nov 30, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I stopped shopping at Draeger's because they didn't let the homeless beg outside their store. Homeless are part of the community.